MSK Toolkit: Conclusion and summary

Conculsion and summary

MSK podiatry services can make a significant difference to patient care and outcomes when the foot and lower limb are affected. The services can be accessed at every level of NHS delivery and vary in their provision of care. The following model is recommended for service provision, with each region having a model where the patient can be assessed at initial contact and given suitable advice or referral to the correct podiatry service, either community or MDT. This can be with an FCP in place, or a triage service provided by the GP as seen in the Bradford case study.

Within the podiatry MSK provision, there should be an advanced practitioner for each of the three specialities, paediatrics, orthopaedic medicine (general MSK) and rheumatology. Each one of these leads a team of practitioners who provide care for that patient group. Each specialism should have access to the relevant diagnostic equipment and have appropriate skills for the group they serve. A range of relevant interventions should be available for the team to work with, and these can be audited with appropriate tools including PASCOM. At all levels, referral pathways to more advanced clinicians and other services should be available for the patient.

*PG=postgraduate

Notes:

12  Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioner https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/musculoskeletal-msk-first-contact-practitioners